Device for punching and plugging cans



Sept. 6, 1927. 1 641,571

v E. o. BURNS DEVICE FOR PUNCHING AND PLUGGING CANS 7 Filed Dec. 28. 1926 arr EUGENE 0. BURNS,

PA T

or Reno, NEVADA.

nnvionrora rnnenine Ann snneenv e cans.

Application filed December This invention relates to devices for punching holes in sheet metal cans such as condensed milk cans or varnish cans, salad oil cans, or the like.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a device of this character which is so formed that it may be used to punch two sizes of holes in the can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a detachable handle for the punching device which, when removed from the punching device, may be used for enlarging the hole initially punched by the device.

A further object is to provide a punching device which will be also used as a plug to close the opening in the can.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved implement showing it as used for perforating a tin shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section of my implement greatly enlarged, showing the handle detached from the body.

Referring to these drawings it will be seen that the device comprises a body which has an enlarged or bulbous portion 11, a constricted neck 12, and a disk-like portion 13. The head 11 is formed with a longitudinally extending borelt. Integral with the body is a shank 15, the upper end of which is defined by a shoulder 16 inclined upward and outward. The extremity of the shank is pointed as at 17, and between this pointed extremity and the middle portion of the shank, the shank is reduced in diameter as at 18, and a beveled or inclined shoulder 19 is formed between these two portions of the shank.

Coacting with the-head, is the handle 20 which is preferably formed of a single piece of metal bent upon itself to provide convergent legs 21. These legs at their outer ends are extended parallel to each other, as at 22, the inner faces of the legs being flat so that the legs will fit against each other and may be fitted within the bore 14.

In the use of this device, the handle is disposed within the bore 145 and by this means the punch is forced into the can. If only a relatively small opening is desired, only the lower portion of the punch is forced through the-can but if a larger opening is desired, the punch is further forced inward past the 28, 1-926; Serial No. 157,577.

shoulder 19 The shank 1-5 with the body may be left within the hole punched so as to act as a plug and be withdrawn whenever required, If it be desired to make a larger hole than is possible to be made by t-he shank 15', then the end 22 of the handle is inserted in the punched opening and the handle may be forced inward, which -will" make an elongated opening in the can of any length within the range of the handle. Attention is called to the fact that the handle may also be used as a pair of tweezers if desired, which is convenient for pulling slivers and other like operations and the punch formed of the pointed shank and the handlemay be used for embroidery work as a bodkin. The device will preferably be made of iron, steel, or any hard metal.

This punch is designed to be made in two different sizes from one-eighth to five-sixteenths of an inch. Obviously, however, the particular size is immaterial as many changes might be made: in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1.. A combination punch and plug of the character described including a body hav ing a head formed with a bore, a shank extending from the body and pointed at its outer end, a portion of the shank extending from said point being less in diameter than that portion of the shank adjacent the'body,

and a handle having one end insertible within said bore and having a diameter approximately the same as that portion of the shank adjacent the body, said handle having opposed faces diverging outward from that extremity of the handle which is in sertible into said bore whereby the handle may be used forexpanding a hole punched by the bore. 1

2. Acombination punch and plug of the character described including a body having a head formed with a bore, a shank extending from the body and pointed at its outer end, a portion of the shank extending from said point being less in diameter than that portion of the shank adjacent the body, and a handle having one end insertible within said bore, the handle being formed of a single piece of metal bent upon itself to provide two converging legs, the extremities of the legs being parallel to each other and fitting against each other and insertible in the bore.

3. An implement of the character described including a body formed with a bulbous head and a disk-like portion, a shank extending from the body and having two diameters connected by an intermediate beveled portion, the extremity of the shank being pointed, said head having a longitudinally extending bore, and a handle having a contracted extremity insertible into and fitting said bore and having a diameter approximately the same as that portion of the shank adjacent the body, the handle being formed to provide two upwardly diverging side faces extending from said insertible portion of the handle and constituting means whereby the handle may be used to enlarge an opening formed by the bore.

4:. A combination punch and plug of the character described comprising a body formed with a shank the shank being polnted and the body having a longitudinally ex tending bore having a diameter approximately equal to that of the shank, and a handle having one end adapted to fit within the bore but removable therefrom, the handle having upwardly divergent opposed faces extending upward from the 1118' rtible end of the handle whereby the handle may signature. w

EUGENE O. P UilNti, 

